Preparation:
Wash and dry the chicken, reserving the liver, and set aside. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil or butter and sauté the almonds and liver, then remove with a slotted spoon. Chop the liver and set aside with the nuts. Add the rice to the fat in the pan and sauté over medium heat, stirring constantly, then pour in the wine, water, salt, cinnamon, and sugar. Cover and cook for 12 minutes, or until the rice is almost tender. Stir in the almonds, liver, and currants and remove the pan from the heat.
Spoon the stuffing into the large cavity of the chicken and close tightly with skewers. Truss the chicken and brush the surface lightly with melted butter or oil. Set in a baking pan, breast side up, and bake for 1 1/4 hours, or until tender, in moderate oven (350F), turning with 2 wooden spoons every 20 minutes and basting frequently with drippings. Remove the stuffing from the cavity and transfer to the center of a warm platter. Carve the chicken and arrange around the stuffing. Serve warm.
Note: For a popular mainland version, substitute pine nuts, nutmeg, and a little chopped celery and parsley, and soaked bread for the almonds, cinnamon, and rice. |
